Electrical storage of information



Nav. 29, 1949 D. s. RIDLER ELECTRICAL STORAGE OF INFORMATION 3 Sheets-Sheet l.

Filed OCT.. 25, 1947 Y 8M f ...T mmm u WEOU ssm mmm sw mou N062 mb wulwov D M. E Nb d @We Nov. Z9, 1949 D. s. RIDLER ELECTRICAL STORAGE OF INFORMATION Filed oct. 25, 1947 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 O O O O O C l l O O C C O C O O Sw N TTI

0 O mwq Sv O n e wwq O n mw SS ms SE kg 0| O c bh NRO MNOQ Nov. 29, 1949 Filed 00T.. 25, 1947 D. S. FIDLER ELECTRICAL STORAGE OF INFORMATION 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 SO-ve CATHODE POTENTIAL CONTROL CAP Pom/TML Patented Nov. 291949 ELECTRICAL STORAGE OF INFRMATION Desmond Sydney Ridler, London, England, assignor to International Standard Electric Corporation, New York, N. Y., a corporation of Delaware Application October 25, 1947, Serial No. 782,057 In Great Britain October 25, 1946 1,6 Claims.

This invention relates to impulse registering arrangements using discharge tubes and has for its objects the provision of improved arrangements of that type.

The main feature of the invention comprises interconnected set of discharge tubes adapted to respond to a 'train or" impulses and register it on a binary basis.

The invention will be clearly understood from the following description of certain embodiments thereof shown in the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. l is a schematic circuit diagram of a regenerative impulse repeater ior use, for instance in automatic telephone exchange systems and adapted to receive a digit or a series of digits and to transmit or control locally originated impulse trains equal in number to the digit or digits received.

Fig. 2 shows the sequence of operations of the discharge tubes forming part of Fig. 1 during impulse registration and impulse counting.

Fig. 3, A or B show the potential values occurring in the triggering circuits of and between the pairs of tubes during impulsing.

Fig. 4 shows a modied form of interconnection between the pairs of discharge tubes of Fig. 1.

The form of counter described comprises two parallel sets of cold-cathode gas discharge tubes each having two auxiliary electrodes either of which can be used for triggering the tube.

Corresponding tubes of the two sets are interconnected in pairs and the pairs are interconnected in series, so arranged that the tubes of one set can be initially triggered into discharging conditions, after which impulses applied to the iirst pair of tubes each cause the non-discharging tube to discharge and the discharging tube to be quenched, while change-over from the originally non-discharging tube to the discharging tube causes a triggering impulse to be given to the next pair of tubes to cause a changeover of condition. The transmission of triggeringV impulses between pairs of tubes consequent on a change-over from the originally non-discharging tube to the originally quenched tube operates between each pair so that an impulse applied to the first pair may affect one, two, three, or all pairs according to their setting.

If after a train of impulses had been applied to the set of tubes, further impulses are applied to the set to complete its cycle of change-overs from one set of tubes, one per pair, being all operated to the other set of tubes all operated,

the number of impulses required is the complement of the number originally registered with respect to the capacity of the complete set of tubes on a binary basis. With four pairs of tubes the capacity is l 2 -l 4 S 15. i

By transposing the condition of the two sets of four tubes, one per pair each, or by changing the triggering arrangements between pairs the set can be made to count out in response to the original number of impulses received instead of its complement. Itis convenient to return the tubes-to their orignial setting at the end of a cycle that is to work with a cycle of 16 instead of 15, so that at the end of the cycle the originally discharging set of tubes is again discharging, this can be achieved by inserting an additional impulse.

Referring now to Fig. 2, the black circles indicate tubes under discharge while the white circles indicate non-discharging or quiescent tubes. The upper four circles of the sets of eight indicate the odd-numbered tubes CTI3, 5, l of Fig. 1 while the lower four circles represent the even-numbered tubes. The odd-numbered tubes are initially triggered as indicated by the pre-reception inf dication in the first example. The changes and condition consequent on successive impulses are then shown in the groups marked 1st register,- ing` impulse-9th registering impulse. The next group indicates the result of the changeover between the upper and lower sets of tubes, the following group the insertion of an addi? tional impulse to take care of the return of the tubes to the pre-reception condition at the end of counting while the remaining groups indicate `ing the counting of nine impulses equal in number to those registered.

Fig. 2 shows also the reception change-over and counting out of the tubes for digit 3.

The detailed operation of the regenerative repeater shown in Fig. l will now be described.

The repeater is seized by a loop extending from the impulsing springs at the distant station .to relay A which operates and removes a short circuit frorn relay B which operates from battery through R35 and al. Contact bl busy the repeater. Contacts bt prepare the circuit for relay C which, for the moment short-circuited at a3. Contacts b3 prepare the impulsing circuit for the cold cathode counting train which is open at a2. Contacts bfi trigger the odd-numbered cold cath-` ode tubes in the counting train preparatory storage by discharging condenser C8 which is normally charged via R30, 3l.

If now a series of impulses representing say,

the digit 9 are transmitted to the regenerator from the distant impulse springs, relay A will release and re-operate nine/ times. Contact a2 pulses this digit to the counter by means of the condenser resistance network RI, CI, and CI being discharged by each impulse. The first pulse instantaneously raises the potential across R2 and consequently triggers cold cathode tube GT2. The potential drop across R4 reverses the charge on condenser C2 and therefore reduces the potential across the main gap o1' cold cathode tube CTI, which is therefore .extinguished The first impulse has changed the glow from CTI to GT2. The second impulse changes the glow back from GT2 to CTI, but passes a rurther impulse to the next pair of tubes by means or the biassed rectiner MRI, which conducts when the cathode potential rises above the bias potential as described below. The glow therefore changes `from GT3 to CTli. Further impulses up to the seventh operate the binary counter in Ya similar way, an impulse being passed Aon vthe succeeding pair o f tubes each time aneven-numbered tube is triggered. The pattern on the ,counter aiter the ninth impulse can beseen from Fig. 2. Relay C is operated .during the rst release of relay A and remains operated during impulsing since the short circuiting contact a3 produces a slow to release effect. Relay C operates relay CC which locks, via ce2, gI.

The counter makes use of the four-electrode cold cathode tube, which is similar to the conventional three electrode tube in principle, but has two control electrodes so that the tube may be triggered from two independent sources. additional facility is used in the binary counters for preparing or pre-setting the counters according to the desired pattern.

The counter is initially triggered by applying This T 4 MRS, MR4 by connecting earth via ccI cI, to the connection between C6 and R33. At the next closure of machine operated loop springs I, 2 the impulse guard relay IG operates over C3 and OC3 and locks via 92, t4. Contacts z'gI pulse the second pair of tubes in the .counter once over C4 and CICII by discharging C1, yCT4 operates and the change-over of glow in the second pair of ltubes sends a pulse to the third pair and so on i and the pattern on the second, third and fourth a potential from condenser C8 to ionise the upper tour cold cathode tubes CTI, .3, 5, I. Positive counting impulses are then applied to the first pair of tubes from condenser CI. A pulse is passed to the next pair of tubes (CTS and 4) only -when the glow changes from CTI to CTZ.

v YConsider the changes in potential across the resistance R4. The iirst impulse, ionises tube CTZ and CTI is deionised. Since the charge on the cathode lcoupling condenser C2 is reversed, Vinstantaneously reducing the potential across CTI. The cathode potential Fig. 3A across R4 therefore rises to a value determined by the dif.- erence between the applied volts VA and the sustaining volts Vs for the tube. If this potential is VB, then VB=VA-Vs. The next impulse triggers tube CTI and the instantaneous potential across R2 is then 2(VA-Vs) and .the potential across the tubt CTI is reduced to The positive bias potential is made equal to -VB=VAVs so that until the potential across R4 rises above VB no potential drop occurs across R22 since the rectier MRI is non-conductive. When the potential rises to 2(VA-Vs) =2VB, however, a potential drop=(V.4-Vs) occurs across R22 since the rectier is conductive. A pulse of amplitude=(V.4-Vs) indicated in Fig. 3B triggers the second pair of tubes CT3 and 4 as a result. This pulse is produced only after each alternate pulse applied to the rst pair of tubes.

The digit nine has now been transmitted and stored. Relay C releases after impulsing and changes the bias applied -to rectiers MRI, MR2,

pairs of -tubes is therefore reversed since change of glow to either side will now send a pulse forward because the bias has been changed. The operation of relay IG releases relay CC which is slightly slow to release to allow the reversals to `be eiected. Contacts CCI restore the original bias to the counter. Contacts zg3 now remove a short-circuit from impulse spring I, 2 which transmit vregenerated impulses over U3 and U4. At each successive impulse springs 2 pulse the counting train once until `the end of the seventh loop, when the vglow will be changing from all the even to all the odd cold cathode counting tubes; position I5, Fig. 2. A pulse is lthen passed to the end of sending cold cathode tube CTS which ionises. The cathode relay T operates and locks.

The `release of relay kC connects earth via ig9 back, ccI front, cI back, to the bias lead BL for the rectiers MRI 4, to change the bias on the tubes. Earth via c4 back., co4, front, b3 front, z'gl back, t3 back causes .C;I to impulse the counting train. Due to the change in `bias the rectiners become conductive in response to VB and 2VB, instead `ZVB only as the other electrodes ,are now earthed, and `triggering potential is passed to the next pair of Atubesat each change-over between a pair of tubes.

The impulse to the counting train therefore causes a change-over in condition of every pair of tubes in turn, as indicated in Fig. 2.

Release of C .closes Va .circuit from relay IG via z'gZ, c3 back, ac3 front to loopsprings 2 so that on the next kclosure of springs 2, IG operates .and locks via z'g2 front, t4 back. Contacts c2 being open, the opening .of .contacts ./gI releases CC.

Contacts ig3 open a.short.circuit on impulsing springs which .are machine A.operated in synchro.,- nism With springs 2. Contacts ig4 open the cir.- cuits of relay C. .Contacts ig5 prepare a circuit for relay T in the main discharge circuitof tube CTS. kContacts z'gI .earth'lead-.US to the preceding circuit. Contacts .z'g .connect .the `impulsing cir.- cuit `of tubes CTI, -2 .to springs 2. Contacts zg close an impulsing loop v.on the loutgoing leads U3, U4, while contacts i919 open yto restore positive .bias to the tubes. The change-overof the tubes takes a very short time and -Wil-l happen before IG operates and restores the lbias: if desired, IG may be slightly slow tooperatetogive a factorof safety on this .opera-tion.

The connection .of springs 2 to condenser IC\I via ig'l takes place while the closure of springs 2 which operates IG is still operative so that an impulse is transmitted Aby CI to `tubes CTI, 2 `-belore springs 2 open. This is :the additional impulse the resultof 4which is `indicated in Fig. 2.

The opening of springs I, 2 sends an impulse via springs I to line and the subsequent closure of springs 2 sends an impulse to the tubes CTI, =2. Nine successive impulses are sent -in turn to line and to the tubes which change condition, in response thereto as indicated in Fig. y2.

In response tothe ninth impulse to the tubes, a changeover from CTB .to CT'I takes place `for the first time 4since IG operated and as a result a triggering impulse is sent via MRA to tube CT9 which discharges via relay T which in turn operates and locks via tl, R32. Contacts tl also disconnect CTS and contacts t2 short circuit the sending springs I so that no further impulses are sent to line. Contacts t3 disconnect the counting train which is now at normal. Contacts t4 disconnect relay IG and contacts zg5 in turn disconnect relay T. Earth indication that sending was in progress is removed from U5 by the break of t5 and ig6. The circuit is now free to receive and transmit any further digits in a similar measure.

An advantage of such a semi-electronic regenerator is that the incoming signal may have any make or break ratio providing the relay A will release and reoperate. This can be so since only transient impulses are required to operate the tubes and can have a mean duration of the order of one millisecond or less. The frequency of the incoming impulses is also only limited by the incoming relay since thermionic or gas-filled counters will count at comparatively high speed. If counting pulses are derived from a third winding on the A relay by transformer eiect, very high receiving speeds are possible.

The advantage of the reversal eiect is that additional apparatus is not required to deal with the complement which would otherwise be obtained. The same effect could be obtained by switching over the bias connections for each pair of tubes from the even tube to the odd tube, e. g. from point W to point X, the changeover persisting until the train of outgoing impulses has been counted out. This gives the same result as transferring the setting of the odd tubes to the even tubes and vice-versa.

Referring now to Fig. 4, a small neon tube replaces the rectifier network used in the counter of Fig. 2. This arrangement has the advantage of simplicity but may not be so ilexible as the rectifier network.

As in the case of Fig. 2, the counter is prepared by triggering the left hand tubes from the point a. Counting pulses are then applied to point b. The potential changes are the same as before. The positive peak potential which occurs when tube CTZ is de-ionised is used to trigger the next pair of tubes. The level of potential across R4 is too high, and the neon N l is arranged in series so that the potential drop across its discharge gap when the triggering pulse occurs reduces the potential to the required value.

The potential which occurs when tube CTI is de-ionised is insufficient to produce a triggering impulse across the neon.

Any other device giving a constant potential drop could be used.

What I claim is:

1. An impulse register comprising a set of discharge tubes interconnected in pairs, means for interconnecting several pairs of tubes in series, means for pre-setting the register by placing certain of said tubes in discharging condition While maintaining one tube of each pair in non-discharging condition, means for applying registering impulses to a nrst pair of said tubes to cause the one of said tubes that is in non-discharging condition to be placed in discharging condition, means responsive to the creation of a discharge in said tube last mentioned to place the other tube in that pair in non-discharging condition, means responsive to a change-over of discharge from one tube of a pair to the other in one direction only to send a triggering impulse to change over the next pair whereby a train of impulses imposed on the first pair of tubes is registered on a binary basis.

2. Interconnected set of discharge tubes as claimed in claim 1 comprising means for changing the triggering arrangements between pairs so that a triggering impulse is sent from one pair to the next consequent on a change-over between tubes of the former pair in either direc-A ion.

3. Interconnected set of discharge tubesas claimed in claim 2 so arranged that after registration of a train of impulses, the triggeringarrangements are changed, an impulse is given to the first pair oi tubes to change-over each pair of tubes in turn, and the triggering arrangements thereupon restored to normal, whereby the set of tubes is conditioned to count a further number of impulses applied to the first pair oi tubes which is equal te that received.

4. Interconnected set oi discharge tubes as claimed in claim l, adapted to register a number on a binary basis, and thereafter to change its condition so that it adds further impulses received to the complement of said number in respect of the capacity of the set on a binary basis.

5. Interconnected set of discharge tubes as claimed in claim 1 comprising means for chang ing the triggering arrangements between pairs so that a triggering impulse is sent from one pair to the next consequent on a change-over between the tubes of the former pair in the direction opposite to that normally initiating such a triggering impulse. 7

6. Interconnected Aset of discharge tubes as claimed in claim 5 adapted to register a number on a binary basis, and thereafter to change thel inter-pair triggering arrangements in the man-A ner claimed in claim 5 so that it addsfurthr impulses received to the complement of said number in respect of the capacity of the set on a binary basis. I

'7. Interconnected set of discharge tubes as claimed in claim 1 and in which the triggering connections between the pairs of tubes include a biassed rectier network.

8. Interconnected set of discharge tubes as claimed in claim 1 and in which the triggering connections between pairs of tubes include constant potentiabdrop devices.

9. Interconnected set of discharge tubes as claimed in claim 1 and in which the triggering connections between pairs of tubes include neon tubes.

l0. Interconnected set of discharge tubes as claimed in claim l so arranged that after registering a tra-in of impulses on a binary basis it automatically changes its condition so that it adds further impulses received to the complement of the number of impulses received in respect of the capacity of the set on a binary basis.

l1. An impulse register comprising a set of discharge tubes interconnected in pairs, means for interconnecting several pairs of tubes in series, means for pre-setting the register by placing certain of said tulbes in discharging condition while maintaining one tube of each pair in non-discharging condition, means for applying an initial registering pulse to one of said tubes that is in non-discharging condition to place it in discharging condition, and means responsive to the creation of a discharge in said tube last mentioned to place the other tube in that pair in non-discharging condition.

12. A register in accordance with claim 11 comprising means responsive to the application of a second registering pulse to said other of said tubes to apply a pulse to a second pair of said tubes and to cause the non-discharging tube of that pair to be placed in discharging condition.

13. A register according to claim 11 wherein each of said discharge tubes has a pair of main electrodes and a control electrode, one main electrode of each tube is connected to ground through a biasing resistance, the two main electrodes just mentioned are interconnected by a condenser, the two control electrodes are interconnected by a resistance and the registering pulses are applied to an intermediate point of said resistance through a condenser both sides of which are connected to ground through additional resistors one of which has a source of potential in series therewith.

14. A register in accordance with claim 13 wherein one of the tubes of each pair has a second auxiliary electrode and means for applying a change of potential to said electrode to place said tube in discharging condition, a sour-ce of biasing potential is applied through a resistance and a rectifier to the first main electrode of the other tube and a connection including a condenser is made from a point between said resistance last mentioned and said rectier to the mid-point of a resistance interconnecting the auxiliary electrodes of a second pair of discharge tubes which also have their irst main `electrodes interconnected by a condenser and separately grounded through resistances, the one tube of said pair last mentioned which corresponds to said one of said tubes of the pair rst mentioned likewise being provided with an auxiliary electrode and means to apply a potential to said electrode to place said tube in discharging condition, whereby when a registering impulse is applied to said first pair of tubes the one which has been in non-discharging condition is placed in discharging condition and the one which is in discharging condition is placed in non-discharging condition.

15. An impulse register comprising a set of electron discharge tubes connected in pairs consisting of a first tube and a second tube, each tube having a pair ofmain discharge electrodes and an auxiliary electrode, means for setting the register for operation by causing the rst tube of each pairto be placed in discharging condition, means for applying registering impulses to the auxiliary electrodes -of the first pair of tubes, means responsive to the application of the first impulse to cause the second tube of said rstpair of tubes to be placed in discharging condition and the rst tube to be placed in non-discharging condition, and means responsive to the application of the second impulse to the auxiliary electrodes of said rst pair of tubes to cause the rst tube of said pair to be placed in discharging condition, the second tube of said pair to be placed in non-discharging condition and the second tube of a second pair to be placed in discharging condition and the rst tube of said second pair to be placed in non-discharging condition.

16. An impulse register comprising a plurality of pairs of electron discharge tubes, each pair consisting of a rst tube and a second tube, means for applying a series of registering impulses to a first pair of tubes, means responsive to the application of the rst registering impulse to cause one of said first pair of tubes to be pla-ced in discharging condition and the other tube to be placed in non-discharging .condition and responsive to the application of a second registering irnpulse to cause the process to be reversed, and means interconnecting several pairs of such tubes for causing the second tube of a second pair to be placed in discharging condition and the first tube of said second pair to be placed in non-discharging condition only responsive to even numbered pulses applied to said first pair of tubes.

DESMOND SYDNEY RIDLER.

No references cited. 

